#person: ashley loren

[satinechristian]

the most in character video of them

[greenconverses]

This might be a silly question but do you enjoy contemporary romance novels? I love historical romance novels but for some reason I find contemporary romance really cringe. Are there certain authors you think always have good stories? ( like the way I know anything you write will always be a banger). I want to expand outside of historical romance but not sure where would be a good start that I would also enjoy. (And I know I won’t know if a book is bad or good until I read it but I can’t finish bad books I just read the last chapter to know how it ends and then return it to the library so would rather avoid this lol)

Oh, I definitely struggle to find contemporary romances I like! I'm reading way more of them than I was a few years ago, but historical is still my go-to.

It's probably because I prefer third person POVs and historical is absolutely dominated by third person. First person can be so great in the hands of a good author, but contemporary is full of really shitty first person, especially now that BookTok has a chokehold on the romance genre. (Don't even talk to me about the trend of using first person on back of the book blurbs, I want to set it ON FIRE.)

I'm also very distrustful of the overall quality of contemp romances. I've been burned way more often by crappy contemp than I have with historicals. I think the standards are just higher with historicals because authors want to sound/be time period accurate, so they end up doing research and being a bit more thorough with the entire writing process. Obviously shitty historicals do exist and the "wallpaper" trend of just plopping modern characters down in Regency/Victorian setting is whole other thing, but by and large, the style, standards, and tropes of historicals just serve me better as a romance reader.

When I'm looking for contemp authors, I look for some of those same qualities: third person POV, great attention to detail, strong character voice, actual romantic tension, satisfying emotional arcs. I also look for authors who implicitly understand what romance is as a genre.

BookTok contemp authors love ticking off romance trope boxes, but most of them don't do the work required to make that trope sing or deeply misunderstand the appeal of said tropes outside of fan fic. The same thing happens with ~spicy books. There's so much of a focus on sex/being sexy versus the romance leading up to sex that you get these really bad cardboard sex scenes that, again, do nothing but check boxes and fail to further the romance.

I can rant about BookTok ruining contemp romance for longer, but that's not that you asked for! Contemporary authors I'd recommend you try: Talia Hibbert, Emily Henry, Ashley Poston, Roni Loren, Alisha Rai, Amy Lea, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Ashley Blake Herring, Alison Cochrun, Uzma Jalaluddin, Julia London, Alyssa Cole, Helen Hoang, and of course, my forever favorite, my GOAT, Meg Cabot.

[the-sparkling-theater-kid]

Aaron and Ashley bootleg

Does anybody have a Moulin Rouge bootleg of Aaron Tveit and Ashley Loren as Christian and Satine? They’re my favorite Christian and Satine and I would love to watch them even though I can’t see them in person. If you don’t have one of them specifically, any bootleg would be nice!

[showereddiamonds]

“Satine , is it true the Moulin Rouge might close … ”

Babydoll and Satine actually have one of my favorite friendships in the show after Arabia and Babydoll of course

[galwithalibrarycard]

Today was a very good day. ❤️😍

[notaccurateornice]

Listened to Ashley’s 2nd show as satine earlier because I’m still sad about Robyn’s last show yesterday and it was pretty much the same cast.

[ashleylcren]

to the people roleplaying their weird ass fantasies of aaron and ashley fucking: let me look in the ashley loren tag in peace, you degenerates. those are real people

[einsteinsugly]

The Other Kids in my Two Worlds Apart universe, and Their Parents (Mostly), Side by Side:

@lily-267, thank you so much for young Betsy's faceclaim!

Fez...

And Laurie:

Adrian (Dylan O'Brien): Physically favors Fez in the browline and the eyes. The lips too, but he has much more of an awkward Forman smile. Has Laurie's nose, cheekbones, and general face shape. Skin color is somewhere between Fez and Laurie's, and his hair is dark brown (instead of jet black). He doesn't have much of his parents in him personality wise, though. He's a Forman, through and through. He's short like Fez, but he's built like a young Red. Slender, but fairly athletic. He loves soccer and baseball (it started off with T-Ball, with Red by his side), and is mechanically inclined. With a love for tinkering with computers and video games.

And Rhonda (I couldn't find a decent quality in-character pic for the life of me):

Ashley (Josie Loren): Looks a lot like Fez, but with slightly lighter skin and more angular features (like her mother, Rhonda). Is slender, highly flexible, and is a great dancer, like Fez.

PS: Ashley's name comes from Rhonda's mother's (Judith's) maiden name Ashley. Judith's from Mississippi, and Rhonda's father Alfred was one of the earliest Freedom Riders (he's white, btw).

Kelso and Brooke:

Betsy (young, Lily Sanfelippo. adult, Minka Kelly): Looks a lot like Brooke, but with Kelso's coloring and less angular features (a fuller face, mainly). She has major Punky Brewster vibes as a kid, with some Alyssa Milano vibes as a teen and as an adult.

Hannah (Lyndsy Fonseca): Is blue-eyed and cool-toned, like her grandmother Carolyn and her uncle Casey. Looks more like Kelso when she's younger, but her mother's genes kick in when she gets older (that jawline and smile become more prominent).

PS: Although they both favor opposite parents, they still look like sisters, if you know what I mean. :)

[necromancercoding]

In this list, you'll find a list of celebrities that are trans and/or non-binary. 

Male-alligned:

Nathan Westling / Trans man / Model / 1996 (24) / White (American).

Chella Man / Trans man / Model & Actor / 1998 (21) / Jewish & Chinese / Deaf. [Genderqueer - He/Him]

Laith Ashley / Trans man / Model & Actor / 1989 (31) / Dominican American.

Kenny Ethan Jones / Trans man / Model / 1995 (25) / White (British) & Jamaican.

Alex Blue Davis / Trans man / Actor / 1983 (37) / White (American).

Tom Phelan / Trans man / Actor / 1995 (25) / White (American).

Elliot Fletcher / Trans man / Actor / 1996 (24) / White (American).

Brian Michael Smith / Trans man / Actor / 1983 (37) / African American.

Ian Alexander / Trans man / Actor / 2001 (19) / White (American) & Vietnamese.

Shiki Aoki / Trans man / Actor, Voice actor & Model / 1990 (30) / Japanese.

Chaz Bono / Trans man / Actor & Activist / 1969 (51) / White (American).

Ryan Cassata / Trans man / Musician / 1993 (26) / Italian American.

Michael D. Cohen / Trans man / 1975 (44) / White (Canadian)

Skyler Cooper / Trans man / Actor & Activist / Unknown age / Unknown origin, Black.

Ian Harvie / Trans man / Actor & Stand-up Comedian / 1968 (52) / White (American).

Miles McKenna / Trans man / Vlogger & Actor / 1995 (24) / White (American).

Riley Carter Millington / Trans man / Actor / 1993-94 (25-26) / White (British).

Scott Turner Schofield / Trans man / Actor & Writer / Unknown Age / White (American).

Ice Seguerra / Trans man / Actor & Singer / 1983 (36) / Filipino.

Jake Zyrus / Trans man / Singer / 1992 (28) / Filipino.

Benjamin Melzer / Trans man / Model / 1987 (33) / White (German).

Casil McArthur / Trans man / Model / 1999 (21) / White (American).

Loren Rex Cameron / Trans man / Photographer / 1959 (60) / White (American).

Buck Angel / Trans man / Porn actor & Activist / 1962 (58) / White (American).

Rocco Kayiatos (Katastrophe) / Trans man / Singer / 1977 (42) / White (American)

Lucas Silveira / Trans man / Singer / 1979 (40) / White (Canadian) & Portuguese.

Balian Buschbaum / Trans man / Athlete / 1980 (39) / White (German).

Tammy Gretchen / Trans man / Actor / 1982 (37) / Brazilian.

Elliot Page / Trans man / Actor, Producer & Activist / 1987 (33) / White (Canadian). [Non-Binary | He/They pronouns]

Female-alligned:

Hunter Schafer / Trans woman / Model & Actress / 1999 (20) / White (American).

Valentina Sampaio / Trans woman / Model / 1996 (23) / Brazilian.

Andreja Pejic / Trans woman / Model / 1991 (28) / White (Bosnian).

Leyna Bloom / Trans woman / Model & Actress / 1990 (30) / Filipino & African American.

Teddy Quinlivan / Trans woman / Model / 1994 (26) / White (American).

Hari Nef / Trans woman / Model / 1992 (27) / White (American).

Mimi Tao / Trans woman / Model / 1992 (28) / Thai.

Lea T / Trans woman / Model / 1981 (39) / Brazilian.

Laverne Cox / Trans woman / Actress / 1972 (48) / African American.

MJ Rodriguez / Trans woman / Actress / 1991 (29) / African American.

Dominique Jackson / Trans woman / Actress / 1975 (45) / Trinidadian.

Hailie Sahar / Trans woman / Actress / 1988 (32) / Mixed American (Black, Latin, Indian, Jewish & German).

Angelica Ross / Trans woman / Actress / 1980 (39) / African American.

Jamie Clayton / Trans woman / Actress / 1978 (42) / White (American).

Josie Totah / Trans woman / Actress / 2001 (18) / Palestinian & Lebanese.

Jazz Jennings / Trans woman / Activist / 2000 (19) / American Jewish.

Jen Richards / Trans woman / Writer & Actress / 1976 (44) / White (American)

Alexandra Billings / Trans woman / Actress / 1962 (58) / White (American).

Trace Lysette / Trans woman / Actress / 1987 (32) / White (American).

Nicole Maines / Trans woman / Actress / 1997 (22) / White (American).

Amiyah Scott / Trans woman / Actress & Model / 1988 (32) / African American.

Janet Mock / Trans woman / Writer & Lawyer / 1983 (37) / Mixed (African American, Portuguese, Asian, Kānaka Maoli).

Isis King / Trans woman / Model and Designer / 1985 (34) / African American.

Gia Gunn / Trans woman / Drag Queen & Actress / 1990 (30) / Japanese American.

Miss Peppermint / Trans woman / Drag Queen & Actress / 1980 (40) / African American.

Carmen Carrera / Trans woman / Model, Burlesque Dancer & Actress / 1985 (35) / Hispanic (Puerto Rican).

Geena Rocero / Trans woman / Model / 1984 (36) / Filipino & American.

Daniela Vega / Trans woman / Actress and Singer / 1989 (31) / Chilean.

Candis Cayne / Trans woman / Actress and Performance Artist / 1971 (48) / Unkown (born in Hawaii).

Jenna Talackova / Trans woman / Model / 1988 (31) / Czech & Babine Native Canadian.

Caroline Cossey / Trans woman / Model / 1954 (65) / White (British).

Ángela Ponce / Trans woman / Model / 1991 (29) / White (Spanish).

Bibiana Fernández / Trans woman / Actress & Model / 1954 (66) / White (Spanish).

Karla Sofía Gascón / Trans woman / Actress & Model / 1972 (48) / White (Spanish).

Lara Sajén / Trans woman / Singer & Dancer / 1977 (42) / Hispanic (Argentinian)

Isabel Torres / Trans woman / TV Personality & Actress / 1969 (51) / White (Spanish).

Jedet Sánchez / Trans woman / Actress & Singer / 1992 (28) / White (Spanish).

Non-binary:

Janelle Monáe / Non-binary / They/Them / Singer & Actress / 1985 (34) / African American.

Sam Smith / Non-binary / They/Them / Singer / 1992 (28) / White (British).

Brigette Lundy-Paine / Non-binary / They/Them / Actor / 1994 (25) / White (American).

Jonathan Van Ness / Gender nonconforming / He/She/They / TV Personality & Hairdresser / 1987 (33) / White (American).

Amandla Stenberg / Non-binary / She/Her / Actress / 1998 (21) / African American & White (Danish).

Ruby Rose / Non-binary / She/Her / Model & Actress / 1986 (34) / White (Australian).

Nico Tortorella / Non-binary / They/Them / Actor & Model / 1988 (31) / Italian American.

Asia Kate Dillon / Non-binary / They/Them / Actor / 1984 (35) / White (American) & Ashkenazi Jewish.

Tommy Dorfman / Non-binary / They/Them / Actor / 1992 (28) / White (American) & Jewish.

Bex Taylor-Klaus / Trans non-binary / They/Them / Actor / 1994 (25) / White (American) & Jewish.

Indya Moore / Trans agender / They/Them / Model & Actor / 1995 (25) / Hispanic (Haitian, Puerto Rican & Dominican).

Lachlan Watson / Non-binary / They/Them / Actor / 2001 (19) / White (American).

Liv Hewson / Non-binary / They/Them / Actor / 1995 (24) / White (Australian).

Quintessa Swindell / Non-binary/GNC / They/Them / Actor / 1997 (23) / POC (Mixed-heritage, allegedly african-american+white).

I'll be updating this list with new fcs every few months; you can leave new names to be added in my askbox or replying to this message. If you liked this list, a like and/or reblog is always appreciated so more people can have access to the list. Thank you!

[satinechristian]

they filmed this with the weirdest angle and lighting but kloren ❤️❤️❤️

[doubleattitude]

24/7 Dance Convention, Atlanta, GA: RESULTS

High Scores by Age:

Sidekick Solo

1st: Charlotte Brayman-’Wonderful World’

2nd: Emersyn Lawson-’Beautiful Things’

2nd: Khylie Wilkerson-’Proud Mary’

3rd: Audrey Mikkelson-’Shake the Room’

4th: Brenna Ferrell-’Showstopper’

Mini Solo

1st: Mia Clark-’Dem Beats’

1st: Carrigan Paylor-’Orange Colored Sky’

2nd: Elizabeth Scott Lanier-’Bitter Earth’

2nd: Kaylee Schwamb-’See Me Now’

3rd: Ashley Otano-’Dark Matter’

3rd: AnaKate Danner-’Malfunction’

3rd: Ella Barnes-’Nobody’s Watching’

3rd: Layla Karadchy-’Tomorrow’

4th: Jasmine Pando-’Amelia’

4th: Georgia Beth Peters-’Come Together’

4th: Allie Plott-’Fire’

4th: Savy Luetchtefeld-’Sound of Silence’

5th: Lauren Fenton-’Boogie Shoes’

5th: Cora Wunder-’Faith’

5th: Rudie Bolton-’Still Don’t Know My Name’

6th: Isabella Shortridge-’In This Shirt’

7th: Bella Smith-’Against The Music’

7th: Sami Nix-’Bridges’

7th: Rose Mangan-’Make Someone Happy’

7th: Ruby Wilkes Petty-’Once Upon Another Time’

8th: Alessandra Gauger-’Morning’

9th: Kenzie Wagoner-’Recharge’

9th: Laila Taylor-’Riot Rhythm’

10th: Belle Brining-’Ain’t to proud to beg’

10th: Malea Moore-’Big Time’

10th: Gabi Brown-’Brown Skin Girl’

10th: Sydney Lawrence-’Everybody Wants To Rule the World’

10th: Lyrah Atkins-’Keep It Moving’

10th: Vivian Liu-’Opportunity’

10th: Channing Jones-’Tight Rope’

Junior Solo

1st: Giselle Gandarilla-’All Human Beings’

2nd: Nicholas Moreno-’Blue Lips’

2nd: Emme James Anderson-’Resume’

3rd: Mia Doyle-’Designated Harmony’

3rd: Brinkley Pittman-’Gravity’

3rd: Belle Richardson-’Seven Birds’

3rd: Leila Winker-’Takt’

4th: Addison Bradley-’Dynamite’

4th: Maddie Shaw-’Final Goodbye’

4th: Caroline Powell-’How Rare’

4th: McGowan Howell-’Resurface’

4th: Maely Weaver-’Staggered In a Configuration’

4th: Cadence Lyles-’Warrior Queen’

5th: Amanda Fenton-’Devil In Disguise’

5th: Emma Martin-’Dreams’

5th: Leah Midgett-’Mirror Mirror’

5th: Morgan Belyeu-’Older’

5th: Vanessa Johnson-’Over The Rainbow’

6th: Kaden Brown-’Resolution’

7th: Mollie Mikkelson-’Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’

7th: Gracie Elder-’No More Tears’

7th: Sloane Dawson-’TEA’

7th: Scarlett Liu-’Unaccompanied’

7th: Sydney Martin-’Vibeology’

8th: Isabella Burdo-’Dance, Dance, Dance’

8th: Estella Guzman-’No Contamination’

8th: Alora Freeman-’Sing to the Moon’

9th: Lila Jane Meadows-’Friend Like Me’

9th: Ever Martin-’Long Time Traveler’

9th: Ensley King-’Ruby Blue’

9th: Gracie Hawkins-’Smokestacks’

10th: MacKenzie Meissner-’Be Strong’

10th: Kinsleigh Gullette-’Despicable’

10th: Pierce Bevans-’Float’

10th: Stella Adamson-’Gamzatti Variation’

10th: Sophia Bell-’Waving Through A Window’

10th: Taylor Dillard-’Way Down We Go’

Teen Solo

1st: Brady Farrar-’Once More’

2nd: Oliver Keane-’Electric Pulse’

2nd: Georgia Greene-’Warning’

3rd: Preslie Rosamond-’Possibly Maybe’

3rd: Sophie Garcia-’Warrior’

4th: Emma Vaughan-’Tango’

5th: Camille Pepper-’1,000 Faces’

5th: Savannah Manning-’Line Thickness’

6th: Emery Sousley-’Birds of Paradise’

6th: Addy Beckham-’Fame’

6th: Natalie Bumgarner-’Lullaby’

6th: Angelina Brennan-’Woman’

7th: Loren Puchalski-’All The Time’

7th: Nika Nosova-’Epiphany’

7th: Sydney Jones-’Raise Your Voice’

7th: Jackson Smoak-’The Longest Time’

8th: Abigail McKinney-’Shout’

8th: Haley Midgett-’Smile to Me’

8th: Callaghan Johnson-Untitled’

9th: Hadley Snell-’Like This’

10th: Emmy Fuller-’Be Be Your Love’

10th: Tierney Denny-Lybbert-’Lean Back’

10th: Sophie Hunsicker-’Take Flight’

10th: Kayleigh Atterton-’Wild Is The Wind’

Senior Solo

1st: Xavier logan-’Self Memoria’

2nd: Thiago Pacheco-’I’m Naturally Platinum’

3rd: Lily Sledge-’My One and Only’

3rd: Kayleigh Everhart-’Thunderstruck’

4th: Grace Robinson-’Always;

4th: Wysdem Ceaser-’Blades’

4th: Niya Smith-’Down2Ride’

4th: Seth Gibson-’Identity’

5th: Chloe Jeffcoat-’As For The Fall’

5th: Dai Boyd-’Try A Little Tenderness’

6th: Alexandra Jinglov-’Action Reaction’

6th: Maika Takemoto-’Changes’

6th: Bella Mills-’Everywhere, Still’

6th: Shaeleigh Person-’Mine’

6th: Christian Butts-’Ohm Sweet Ohm’

6th: Brittany Willard-’Unchained Melody’

6th: Javon Moore-’Visions’

7th: Tristin Edsel-’And So It Goes’

7th: Belle Mason-’Drones’

7th: Saleya James-’Fix You’

7th: Lily Thompson-’Foolish Games’

7th: Savannah Folding-’Heart Shaped Birthmark’

7th: Kirsten Brown-’Trainwreck’

7th: Ella Samellas-’Without You’

8th: CJ Parker-’A Letter From France’

8th: Bailey Cerio-’Free Falling’

8th: Mallory McCormick-’Rose’

8th: Chloe Barr-’Still Light’

8th: Jalen Scriven-’TIME’

9th: Jasmyn Hopper-’Another Lifetime’

9th: Raven Rutledge-’A Pale’

9th: Sydney Scott-’Forsaken’

9th: Katelyn Midgett-’Georgia’

9th: Morgen Watkins-’Gonna Love Me’

9th: Ryin Corcoran-’Red Dust’

9th: Sophie Hooker-’We’ll Meet Again’

9th: Hannah Rivers-’Will You Ever Return’

10th: Blair Southerland-’Desperation’

10th: Izzie Bringle-’Hush’

Sidekick Duo/Trio

1st: West Main Studios-’Colors Of the Wind’

2nd: To The Pointe-’Wildside’

Mini Duo/Trio

1st: Carolina Collective Dance-’It’s Quiet Uptown’

2nd: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Loves Me Like A Rock’

3rd: Carolina Collective Dance-’Proud’

3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’To Build A Home’

Junior Duo/Trio

1st: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Even The Sun’

2nd: Milele Academy-’Fiyah Speak’

3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Nothing We Can Do’

Teen Duo/Trio

1st: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Let Me Follow’

2nd: Milele Academy-’Down We Go’

2nd: The Royal Dance Academy-’Grieving’

3rd: Great Gig Dance Co-’Canon In D’

Senior Duo/Trio

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Addictive’

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Verlust’

2nd: Milele Academy-’Darkest Hour’

3rd: Studio 413-’Black Flies’

Sidekick Group

1st: Studio Powers-’Big Love, Small Moments’

Mini Group

1st: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Daisies’

2nd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Bones’

3rd: The Southern Strutt-’Hey Hi Hello’

3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’The Moment’

3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Wepa’

Junior Group

1st: The Southern Strutt-’A Young Mind’s Thoughts’

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Made of Stone’

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’The Swan’

2nd: Studio Powers-’Cry Me A River’

3rd: Milele Academy-’Save a Horse’

Teen Group

1st: Milele Academy-’Close Up’

1st: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Slack Jaw’

1st: Studio 413-’Social Media Overload’

1st: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Wooden Hymnal In C’

2nd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’He’s A Dream’

3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Shaken Lung’

Senior Group

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’I’m Delighted’

2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’What A Girl Wants’

3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Dying of Thirst’

Sidekick Line

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Mr Piano Man’

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Rainbow Brite’

2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Besties’

3rd: The Southern Strutt-’Dump Him’

3rd: The Southern Strutt-’Reflections’

Mini Line

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Fergalicious’

2nd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Brown Skin Girl’

2nd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Found A Good One’

3rd: The Southern Strutt-’As Good As It Gets’

3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Back At It’

Junior Line

1st: The Southern Strutt-’This Place About to Blow’

2nd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Dance Apocalyptic’

2nd: The Southern Strutt-’I Will Leave The Light On’

3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Genesis’

3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Kill The Lights’

Teen Line

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Lay Them Before Me’

2nd: Studio 413-’Hold On Tight’

3rd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Midnight Street’

Senior Line

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Sunny Side of the Street’

2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Charlie Boy’

2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Deep Fried Flavor’

2nd: Great Gig Dance Co-’I’d Love to Change The World’

2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Layla’

2nd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Matter’

3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Full Bloom’

3rd: Studio 413-’Rumors’

Sidekick Extended Line

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Flying Solo’

Mini Extended Line

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Fly Kicks’

2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Wonderland’

3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’The Happy Disco Show’

3rd: The Southern Strutt-’Yacht Club Cuties’

Junior Extended Line

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Foot On The Gas’

2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Walk It Out’

3rd: Studio 413-’Girl Boss’

Teen Extended Line

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Work’

2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Earthquake’

2nd: The Southern Strutt-’The Wave’

3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Angels’

3rd: The Southern Strutt-’XR2′

Senior Extended Line

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’The Reception’

2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Here Comes The Boom’

Sidekick Production

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Chewy Chewy’

Mini Production

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Yacht Club Cuties’

Junior Production

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Ski-A-Rhythmdale’

2nd: Studio 413-’Electricity’

Teen Production

1st: exonerated

2nd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Southern Hospitality’

3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Bay 2 the A’

High Scores by Performance Division:

Sidekick Jazz

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Chewy Chewy’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Rainbow Brite’ 3rd: The Southern Strutt-’Dump Him’

Sidekick Hip-Hop

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Besties’

Sidekick Tap

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Mr Piano Man’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’ABC’ 3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Shout’

Sidekick Contemporary

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Flying Solo’

Sidekick Lyrical

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Reflections’ 2nd: Studio Powers-’Big Love, Small Moments’

Mini Jazz

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Fergalicious’ 2nd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Brown Skin Girl’ 3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’The Happy Disco Show’

Mini Ballet

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Concerto In D’

Mini Hip-Hop

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Fly Kicks’ 2nd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Found A Good One’ 3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Back At It’

Mini Tap

1st: The Southern Strutt-’As Good As It Gets’ 2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Love Shack’ 3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Jitterbug’

Mini Contemporary

1st: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Daisies’ 2nd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Bones’ 3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’The Moment’

Mini Lyrical

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’3000 Miles’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Fly Me To The Moon’ 3rd: Studio 413-’Helium’

Mini Musical Theatre

1st: The Southern Strutt-’Wonderland’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Yacht Club Cuties’ 3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Little Shop of Horrors’

Junior Jazz

1st: The Southern Strutt-’This Place About to Blow’ 2nd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Dance Apocalyptic’ 2nd: Studio 413-’Electricity’ 3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Kill The Lights’ 3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Genesis’

Junior Ballet

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Violin Fantastique’

Junior Hip-Hop

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Foot On The Gas’ 2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Walk It Out’ 3rd: Studio 413-’Girl Boss’

Junior Tap

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Sussudio’ 1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Here Comes The Sun’ 2nd: Studio 413-’Into the Night’ 3rd: Great Gig Dance Co-’Tiny Dancer’

Junior Contemporary

1st: The Southern Strutt-’I Will Leave The Light On’ 2nd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’The Swan’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’A Young Mind’s Thoughts’ 3rd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Off The Rails’

Junior Lyrical

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Made of Stone’ 2nd: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Daisies’ 3rd: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Firework’

Junior Musical Theatre

1st: The Southern Strutt-’First Day Fruge’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’The Gospel Truth’ 3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Zero to Hero’

Junior Acro

1st: The WHEREHOUSE-’Day-O’

Junior Specialty

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Ski-A-Rhythmdale’ 2nd: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Grease!’

Teen Jazz

1st: The Southern Strutt-’XR2′ 1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’I Hope My Life’ 2nd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Shake’ 3rd: Studio 413-’Body Language’ 3rd: The Southern Strutt-’Kick It’

Teen Hip-Hop

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Work’ 2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Earthquake’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’The Wave’ 3rd: Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Southern Hospitality’

Teen Tap

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Rock Your Body’ 2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Hook’ 3rd: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Wooden Hymnal In C’ 3rd: Studio 413-’Gold Watch’ 3rd: The Southern Strutt-’Gold Watch’

Teen Contemporary

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Exonerated’ 2nd: Studio 413-’Hold On Tight’ 3rd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Embrace the World’

Teen Lyrical

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Midnight Street’ 2nd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Angels’ 3rd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’This Particular Dream’

Teen Musical Theatre

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Groundhog Day’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Beetlejuice’ 3rd: Heather Wayne’s Dance Company-’Too Darn Hot’

Teen Acro

1st: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Oceans’ 2nd: Studio Powers-’Area 51′

Teen Specialty

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Lay Them Before Me’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Book of Love’ 3rd: Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Hip Hip Chin Chin’ 3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Born to Be Alive’

Senior Jazz

1st: Studio 413-’Rumors’ 2nd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Human Nature’ 3rd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Saved By The DJ’

Senior Ballet

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Recomposed’

Senior Hip-Hop

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’Deep Fried Flavor’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Here Comes The Boom’ 3rd: North Georgia Dance and Music Factory-’Power’

Senior Tap

1st: Rhythm Dance Center-’What A Girl Wants’ 2nd: Great Gig Dance Co-’I’d Love to Change The World’ 2nd: Rhythm Dance Center-’Layla’ 3rd: Great Gig Dance Co-’Faith’

Senior Contemporary

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’I’m Delighted’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Charlie Boy’ 2nd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Dying of Thirst’ 3rd: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Full Bloom’

Senior Lyrical

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Matter’ 2nd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Tides of Lamentation’ 3rd: Dothan School of Dance-’It’s All Coming Back to Me’

Senior Musical Theatre

1st: Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Sunny Side of the Street’ 2nd: The Southern Strutt-’Too Darn Hot’ 3rd: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Might As Well Be’

Senior Specialty

1st: Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’The Reception’

11 O’Clock:

Sidekick

Studio Powers-’DANCE’

The Southern Strutt-’Flying Solo’

Rhythm Dance Center-’Besties’

Mini

Studio 413-’Helium’

West Main Studios-’Spiders’

Milele Academy-’Move Your Body’

Studio Powers-’Iconology’

Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Bones’

Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Daisies’

Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Found A Good One’

Rhythm Dance Center-’Fly Kicks’

The Southern Strutt-’Fergalicious’

Junior

Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Dance Apocalyptic’

Studio 413-’Girl Boss’

Rhythm Dance Center-’Foot On The Gas’

The Southern Strutt-’This Place About to Blow’

Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Kill The Lights’

Milele Academy-’Missy’

Studio Powers-’Cry Me A River’

Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Made of Stone’

Teen

The Southern Strutt-’The Wave’

Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Hip Hip Chin Chin’

Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Exonerated’

Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’Lay Them Before Me’

Oconee Youth School of Performance-’Poppin Party’

The WHEREHOUSE-’Changes’

Studio Powers-’Stand Up’

Milele Academy-’Close Up’

Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Southern Hospitality’

Studio 413-’Hold On Tight’

Rhythm Dance Center-’Earthquake’

Senior

Dothan School of Dance-’You’ll Never Walk Alone’

Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’The Reception’

Rhythm Dance Center-’What A Girl Wants’

Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Sunny Side of the Street’

The Southern Strutt-’Charlie Boy’

Great Gig Dance Co-’I’d Love to Change The World’

Studio 413-’Rumors’

Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Exile’

Milele Academy-’Get It’

Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Bitter’

Heather Wayne’s Dance Company-’Old Skin’

Smitty’s Performing Arts Center-’Where Is The Love’

Studio Showcase:

Milele Academy-’Close Up’

West Main Studio-’E R’

Variations Dance Studio-’Through The Cracks’

Upstate Carolina Dance Center-’Exile’

The WHEREHOUSE-’Changes’

The Southern Strutt-’Charlie Boy’

Studio Powers-’Stand Up’

Studio 413-’Rumors’

Rhythm Dance Center-’Earthquake’

Oconee Youth School of Performance-’Poppin Party’

North Georgia Dance and Music Factory-’Tap Dat’

Heather Wayne’s Dance Company-’Old Skin’

Gretchen Greene School of Dance-’Hip Hip Chin Chin’

Great Gig Dance Co-’I’d Love to Change The World’

Dancemakers of Atlanta-’Exonerated’

Columbia City Jazz Conservatory-’The Reception’

[writemarcus]

Jun. 23: Jason Robert Brown, Savion Glover, Priscilla López, Susan Stroman, Marisha Wallace, and Christopher Wheeldon Join I’M STILL HERE: A Virtual Benefit for the Billy Rose Theatre Division Honoring George C. Wolfe and the Late Harold Prince and Celebrating 90 Years of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; Tickets for the In-Person Viewing Party are Available Now

Jason Robert Brown, Savion Glover, Priscilla López, Susan Stroman, Marisha Wallace, and Christopher Wheeldon join the cavalcade of stars participating in The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ I’m Still Here: A Virtual Benefit for the Billy Rose Theatre Division, airing June 23, 2021 on Broadway On Demand at 8pm EST and 8pm PST. The fundraiser will help raise critical funds for the Library for the Performing Arts’ beloved Theatre Division as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

Tickets to the online fundraiser will be donate-what-you-can, with a recommendation of at least $19.31 in honor of the year the division was founded. To purchase tickets to the one-time-only virtual event, visit StillHereAt90.com.

An in-person viewing party at the Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center for donors has also just been announced, including a pre-screening reception and performance featuring Pulitzer Prize winner Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop), and GRAMMY and two-time Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). For details and ticket prices for this limited capacity in- person event, please contact tickets@stillhereat90.com.

An incredibly special aspect of I’m Still Here is that it will feature clips of Broadway productions from the Theatre Division’s Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT), shown especially for this occasion with special permission from The Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds and the respective talent, creative teams and rights holders of each production. These archival recordings are typically only available to view onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts. The recordings shown will include the original Broadway cast of In the Heights; Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson in The Mountaintop; Brian Stokes Mitchell in Ragtime; Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard; Kelli O’Hara and Paulo Szot in South Pacific; Craig Bierko and Rebecca Luker in The Music Man; Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden and Larry Pine in The Seagull; Savion Glover, Jimmy Tate, Choclattjared and Raymond King in Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk; Bette Midler in I’ll Eat You Last; Christian Borle and Tim Curry in Spamalot; and more.

I’m Still Here will also include interviews with Broadway legends and emerging creatives; and reconceived performances of musical theatre songs, including Stephanie J. Block performing “A Trip to the Library,” André De Shields performing “I’m Still Here,” original Company cast members from 1970-to-present performing “Another Hundred People,” “Wheels of a Dream,” “Love Will Find a Way,” and more. The evening’s honorees are Harold Prince and George C. Wolfe.

Featuring new performances and appearances by Troy Anthony (The River Is Me), Annaleigh Ashford (Sunday in the Park with George), Major Attaway (Aladdin), Alexander Bello (Caroline, or Change), Laura Benanti (She Loves Me), Malik Bilbrew, Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam), Shay Bland, Stephanie J. Block (The Cher Show), Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Matthew Broderick (Plaza Suite), Jason Robert Brown (The Last 5 Years), Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), David Burtka (“A Series of Unfortunate Events”), Sammi Cannold (Endlings), Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Kirsten Childs (Bella), Antonio Cipriano (Mean Girls), Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Max Clayton (Moulin Rouge!), Calvin L. Cooper (Mrs. Doubtfire), Trip Cullman (Choir Boy), Taeler Elyse Cyrus (Hello, Dolly!), Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on This Island), André De Shields (Hadestown), Frank DiLella (NY1), Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), Leslie Donna Flesner (Tootsie), Chelsea P. Freeman, Savion Glover (Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk), Joel Grey (Cabaret), Ryan J. Haddad (“The Politician”),James Harkness (Ain’t Too Proud), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), Marcy Harriell (Company), Mark Harris (“Mike Nichols: A Life”), Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Arica Jackson (Caroline, or Change), Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop), Cassondra James (Once on This Island), Marcus Paul James (Rent), Taylor Iman Jones (Hamilton), Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy (The Inheritance), Leslie Kritzer (Beetlejuice), Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party), Norman Lear (Good Times), Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line), L. Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop), Robert Lee (Takeaway), Sondra Lee (Hello, Dolly!), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Priscilla Lopez (A Chorus Line),Ashley Loren (Moulin Rouge!), Allen René Louis (“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”), Brittney Mack (Six), Morgan Marcell (Hamilton), Aaron Marcellus (“American Idol”), Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), Annie McGreevey (Company), Sarah Meahl (Kiss Me, Kate), Joanna Merlin (Fiddler on the Roof), Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Madeline Myers (Double Helix), Pamela Myers (Company),Leilani Patao (Garden Girl), Nova Payton (Dreamgirls), Joel Perez (Kiss My Aztec), Bernadette Peters (Into the Woods), Tonya Pinkins (Jelly’s Last Jam), Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Jelani Remy (Ain’t Too Proud), George Salazar (Be More Chill), Marilyn Saunders (Company), Marcus Scott (Fidelio), Rashidra Scott (Company), Rona Siddiqui (Tales of a Halfghan), Ahmad Simmons (West Side Story), Susan Stroman (The Producers), Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), Bobby Conte Thornton (Company), Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet), Kei Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Ben Vereen (Pippin), Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo (The Cher Show), Nik Walker (Ain’t Too Proud), Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls), Shannon Fiona Weir, Christopher Wheeldon (MJ: The Musical),Helen Marla White (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Natasha Yvette Williams (“Orange is the New Black”), and Kumiko Yoshii (Prince of Broadway).

Click here to watch New York Public Library’s Doug Reside on Backstage LIVE with Richard Ridge.

The virtual benefit is produced and conceived by co-founder of the upcoming Museum of Broadway and four-time Tony nominee Julie Boardman (Company) and Co-Executive Producer of Broadway For Biden Nolan Doran (Head Over Heels), featuring direction by Steve Broadnax (Thoughts Of A Colored Man), Sammi Cannold (Endlings), Nick Corley (Plaza Suite), GRAMMY Award Winner Ty Defoe (Straight White Men), Drama Desk winner Lorin Latarro (Waitress), Mia Walker (Jagged Little Pill) and Tony Award winnerJason Michael Webb (Choir Boy), choreography by Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic),Lorin Latarro and Ray Mercer (The Lion King), with new music arranged by ASCAP Award winner Rachel Dean (Medusa) and Annastasia Victory (A Wonderful World), with arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer (Frozen). Casting is by Peter Van Dam at Tara Rubin Casting.

Tony Marx is the president of The New York Public Library, William Kelly is the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries,Jennifer Schantz is the Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director of the Library for the Performing Arts, and Doug Reside is the Lewis and Dorothy Cullman Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division. Patrick Hoffman is the curator of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. Henry Tisch serves as Associate Producer and Travis Waldschmidt is Associate Choreographer. Animation and Motion Graphics by Kate Freer, Graphic Design by Caitlin Whittington, Sean MacLaughlin is Director of Photography and Ian Johnston is B Camera Operator. Dylan Tashjian is Onsite Coordinator with COVID compliance by Lauren Class Schneider.

HOST COMMITTEE: Ted & Mary Jo Shen, Barbara Fleischman, Agnes Gund, Fiona & Eric Rudin, Lizzie & Jon Tisch, Kate Cannova, Joan Marcus, Daisy Prince, Gayfryd Steinberg, Van Horn Group

LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE COMMITTEE: Emily Altman, Margot Astrachan, Ken Billington, Julie Boardman, Ted Chapin, Bonnie Comley, Van Dean, Kurt Deutsch, Scott Farthing, Barbara Fleischman, Freddie Gershon, Louise Hirschfeld, Joan Marcus, Elliott Masie, Arthur Pober, Ed Schloss, Morwin Schmookler, Jenna Segal, Ted Shen, Kara Unterberg, Abbie Van Nostrand, Kumiko Yoshii

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS DOROTHY AND LEWIS B. CULLMAN CENTER houses one of the world’s most extensive combinations of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in the field of dance, theatre, music and recorded sound. These materials are available free of charge, along with a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. An essential resource for everyone with an interest in the arts — whether professional or amateur — the Library is known particularly for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters and photographs. The Library is part of The New York Public Library system, which has locations in the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, and is a lead provider of free education for all.

BROADWAY ON DEMAND is the industry-leading livestream platform housing performance & theatre education programming, & the preferred choice of top Broadway artists, producers, educators & professionals. Broadway On Demand has streamed 2,500 events & live productions—from Broadway shows to concert series, performance venues to individual artists, & original content—in 82 countries to over 300,000 viewers. Thanks to a unique licensing interface, ShowShare, approved middle school, high school, college, community & professional theatre productions utilize the platform to stream to their audiences. Broadway on Demand is available on the web, mobile, Apple and Android app store, AppleTV, Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV. For access to the complete and ever-expanding Broadway on Demand library, subscribe at BroadwayOnDemand.com.

[thediaryofatheatrekid]

Casting Goals: Jesus Christ Superstar

When making this cast list I said “F*CK GENDER!!!!!!” Also using the arena tour staging because that is the definitive production!

Jeremy Jordan as Jesus Christ

Lena Hall as Judas Iscariot

Danielle Steers as Mary Magdalene

Jordan Donica as Pontius Pilate

Patrick Page as Caiaphas

Brian Sears as Annas (Judas u/s)

Sushma Saha as Peter (Caiaphas u/s)

Benjamin Yates as Simon Zealotes (Jesus u/s)

Patti LuPone as King Herod

Ahmad Maksoud as Apostle/Ensemble (Caiaphas)

Ethan Le Phong as Apostle/Ensemble (Peter u/s)

Ezra Menas as Apostle/Ensemble (Annas u/s)

Nkrumah Gatling as Apostle/Ensemble

Samuel Edwards as Apostle/Ensemble (Annas u/s, Simon u/s)

Sydney Parra as Apostle/Ensemble (Pilate u/s, Peter u/s)

Tiana Okoye as Apostle/Ensemble (Judas u/s)

Usman Ali Ishaq as Apostle/Ensemble (Peter u/s)

Zurin Villanueva as Apostle/Ensemble (Simon u/s)

Alan H. Green as Reporter 4/Ensemble (Pilate u/s, Caiaphas u/s)

Alexander Ferguson as Old Man/Ensemble

Andrei Chagas as Ensemble

Andrew Chapelle as Reporter 12/Ensemble (Herod u/s)

Anisha Nagarajan as Ensemble

Arbender J. Robinson as Reporter 3/Ensemble

Ashley De La Rosa as Ensemble (Jesus u/s)

Candace Quarrels as Reporter 1/Ensemble (Soul Girl u/s)

Charlie Williams as Reporter 16/Ensemble

Charnette Battey as Soul Girl/Ensemble

Curtis Holland as Soldier/Ensemble

Deon’te Goodman as Reporter 7/Ensemble

Dujonna Gift-Simms as Priest 2/Ensemble (Soul Girl u/s)

Elijah Ahmad Lewis as Ensemble

Elijah Reyes as Reporter 12/Ensemble

Erik Martenson as Reporter 15/Ensemble

Eymard Cabling as Priest 1/Ensemble (Herod u/s)

Grasan Kingsberry as Reporter 6/Ensemble

Hayden Milanés as Reporter 14/Ensemble (Jesus u/s)

Hiba Elchikhe as Maid by the Fire/Reporter 2/Ensemble (Jesus u/s)

Josh Drake as Reporter 9/Ensemble

Karis Oka as Reporter 8/Ensemble (Mary u/s)

Katie Ladner as Reporter 10/Ensemble (Herod u/s)

Kathryn Allison as Reporter 13/Ensemble

Loren Lott as Ensemble (Simon u/s)

Marcus Paul James as Ensemble

Marie Eife as Reporter 5/Ensemble (Mary u/s)

Marsha Songcome as Priest 3/Ensemble (Judas u/s)

Morgan Bryant as Ensemble

Nikisha Williams as Soul Girl/Ensemble

Samantha Marie Ware as Soul Girl/Ensemble (Mary u/s)

Travis Kerry as Reporter 11/Ensemble (Pilate u/s) 

Avery Sobczak as Swing

Carmen Ruby Floyd as Swing (Annas u/s, Soul Girl u/s)

Cherry Torres as Swing

Drew Wildman Foster as Swing

Graham Scott Fleming as Swing

Julian Ramos as Swing

Natalie Pilkington as Swing (Peter u/s)

Peter Houston as Swing

Shannen Alyce Quan as Swing

Honorable Mentions: Brendon Urie as Jesus Christ* Christian Rey Marbella as Annas Jesse L. Martin as Caiaphas Maria Eberline as Apostle/Ensemble (Mary u/s)

*As a lot you may know my dream Jesus for the longest time has been Brendon Urie, but unfortunately there is a lot of speculation going on right now about his character and since he has not spoken up at all I cannot cast him until he responds and I, personally, find his response acceptable.

[curious-minx]

An Overview of Fox’s Animation Domination Block

Burger of the Day: A purple font on top of a purple font

Seriously? Is that all it takes to be a graphic designer is deciding to change yellow to purple?

Since one of the leading pop culture websites on the web, the DMV Club, has stopped paying attention to Fox’s Sunday night animation block I figured I’d swoop in and check in on the largely shrugged off Animation Damnation Sunday night programming. This article will function as a State of the Animated American Nation, which continues to frustrate and underperform when it could be booming with a couple of tweaks.

For someone who grew up on ungodly amounts of screen time and pop culture consumption the Sunday night block has a chunk of my adult animation loving heart. Which is why i should just shut just bless my heart already and enjoy this mostly lost opportunity. So much endless potential offered by the animation medium and yet Fox execs bankrolled projects like Napoleon Dynamite, Cleveland Show, Sit Down Shut Up, and Allen Gregory. And what have these shows to offer outside of ironic Werner Herzog and David Lynch cameos in Cleveland and Hollywood Handbook heads can giggle at the Allen Gregory connection.

In order for an animated sitcom to succeed you need to have both a strong auteur-like vision seeing over the project from inception like your Mike Judge or Dan Harmon or more preferably a less obnoxious white guy. Remember when Donald Glover and brother Stephen Glover were tapped for the animated Deadpool show? Tyler, The Creator has been trying to get a decent animated vehicle going for awhile and Boondocks’ Aaron Mcgrudger has another reboot in the wings, but despite these efforts the animated sitcom remains a largely white male focused medium and that’s probably its biggest hurdle.

The second element an animated sitcom needs besides an overarching artistic voice(s) is voice talent. King of the Hill out of any of Fox’s animated sitcom probably has the most stacked and varied cast of any show on the line-up and a distinct animation style that still shows how hard cartoon realism is to pull off. Yes, King of the Hill commits the cardinal sin of having a white man voice a Laotian character. The only meager defense I can provide is that Kahn Souphanousinphone is at least a high status character and the rest of the family is actually voiced by Asian actors. King of the Hill also offered substantive roles for its female cast:Pamela Adlon, Kathy Najimy, Brittany Murphy, Ashley Gardner, and Lauren Tom. All of these women characters (and one boy) were more complicated and well defined than most live action roles for women in sitcoms throughout the 00s. The fact that King of the Hill was canceled as a means to make room for the Cleveland show is all you need to know about Fox’s mishandling of what could be a potent block of programming.

The 2010s have not been a kind decade to Fox which for a Murdoch owned company is probably for the best. The decade found the Simpsons and Family Guy continuing to exist out of spite, but Bob’s Burgers and to a lesser extent American Dad offer glimmers of what quality adult animated sitcoms can look like. The one main botched experiment the lineup took was the Animation Domination High-Def otherwise known as the groan inducing ADHD acronym to emphasis the short 15 minute or less format. Despite aging horribly Axe Cop and the other web series import Golan the Insatiable are mostly fine, but I don’t know what happened with Dino Stamatopoulos’ High School USA, which felt like one big troll move. Maybe Stamatopoulos hate created this completely brain dead and ugly “bad Archie” series as payback for the mishandling of his claymation projects (the brilliant Moral Orel and less brilliant but visually stunning Frankenhole).

All three of the current Fox mainstays are entering ripe double digit seasons but there still has yet to be another hit the size of Bob’s Burgers. A series that was supposed to be debuting a movie this year but be saved the Simpsons movie curse and continue working at its own pace.

Netflix feels like they were the closest alternative to recouping the failed promise of Fox’s Sunday night, but then they completely mishandled Bojack and Tuca Bertie and seem settled on betting the South Korean animation farm on Big Mouth and sub Big Mouth Hoops instead of creative storytelling. Hulu has a Rick and Morty’s Justin Roiland passion project which feels like a weaker spin off than American Dad, but not as worthless as Cleveland Show. And of course there’s the CBS animated Star Trek and Apple TV’s Central Park, which are probably only being viewed and talked about by people paid to write and talk about tv.

////////////

I will continue to check in with Bob’s Burgers and the Simpsons because they are old friends that are circling down the drains at different rates. At least the animation on both shows have a distinctive personality and don’t look like rejected small town grocery chain and real estate advertising. The animation quality of current Simpsons is probably the only reason to watch ever since Meghan Amram tweeted that one shitty joke it’s hard to drum up much more enthusiasm for the series. Bob’s Burgers enters its 11th season with a literally sleepy but charming season premier featuring well financed animation sequences and a fever dream of a B-plot involving handclap dancing. My theory for the B plot is the show attempting to assuage audience and critics fears that the show would somehow feel fundamentally different without having the voice talent recording in the room together. The episode also gives a chance for Bob to be alone with Bob, which is a fun ironical situation for such a family and ensemble focused show.

The second episode of Bob’s Burgers is going to be its Pandemic episode that the series creator and showrunner Loren Bouchard swears was written well before Covid (https://deadline.com/2020/07/bobs-burgers-creatives-season-11-pandemic-episode-comic-conhome-1202994341/). The Simpsons and Family Guy’s main returning gimmicks is that they are attempting to recast the people of color characters (a tactic Big Mouth is also using to drum up enthusiasm for another season) and while I won’t be watching a single second of Family Guy I will add a brief Simpsons review to my upcoming coverage of Bob’s Burgers 11th Season.

More to come.

[notaccurateornice]

Today is a “listen to Ashley Loren singing daddy issues by Demi Lovato on repeat” kind of day.